3–63
Before Driving
Towing
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocke\
d while parked.
Apply the parking brake fi rmly and put the transaxle in P.
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle \
and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of t\
he front tires face the curb.
If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the\
wheel blocks. Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 6-4 ).
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3–64
Before Driving
Towing
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
"Towing Description" (page 7-20 ) and
carefully follow the instructions.
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4–4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
*Some models.
Ignition Switch
Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
Push button start
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the brake
pedal. To switch the ignition position,
press the push button start without
depressing the pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the selector lever is in the P
position, and the ignition is in ACC, the
ignition switches off automatically after
about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
*
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off , set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever
is in P: Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off , setting the
parking brake, and shifting the selector
lever to P is dangerous. Unexpected
vehicle movement could occur which
could result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave
the vehicle for even a short period, it
is important to switch the ignition off ,
as leaving it in another position will
disable some of the vehicle's security
systems and run the battery down.
NOTE
(Locked steering wheel) *
If the push button start indicator light
(green) is fl ashing and the beep sound
is heard, this indicates that the steering
wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the
steering wheel, press the push button start
while moving the steering wheel left and
right.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
In this position the steering wheel is
unlocked.
*
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
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When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover using a cloth-wrapped fl at head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
Cover
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
Transaxle Ranges
The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer
to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-32 .
The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake: Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is moving can damage your transaxle.
Shifting into a driving gear or reverse when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transaxle.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-51 ).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
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4–45
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by
allowing you to operate the selector lever
manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear/6th gear, the gear will shift to M4/
M5.
Indications
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Manual shift mode
indicationGear position indication
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indication will fl ash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (to protect the transaxle).
If the automatic transaxle fl uid (ATF)
temperature becomes too high, there
is the possibility that the transaxle
will switch to automatic shift mode,
canceling manual shift mode and
turning off the gear position indication
illumination. This is a normal function
to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indication illumination turns
back on and driving in manual shift
mode is restored.
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When Driving
Switches and Controls
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traf fi c hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning fl asher and
all the turn signals will fl ash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster fl ash simultaneously.
NOTE
The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
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When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function: The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the vehicle
is stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the AUTOHOLD system
is dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly
move. Operate the brakes appropriately in accordance with the road and surrounding
conditions.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a steep
grade: Because there is a possibility of the vehicle not being held in the stopped position by the
AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or snow-covered
roads, or unpaved roads: Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped position by the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle
may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator pedal, brakes,
or steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases: Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly
and result in an accident.
The brake pedal operation request warning light (red) fl ashes and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
(Red) [Brake Hold Unavailable Depress Brake to Hold Position] is displayed in the multi-information display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
Always apply the electric pa rking brake (EPB) when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the electric parking brake (EPB) when parking the vehicle is dangerous as
the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. When parking the vehicle,
shift the selector lever to the P position (automatic transaxle vehicle) and apply the
electric parking brake (EPB).
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When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-33 .
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
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